Research ministers to map what skills are necessary to competitive Europe

On 24 July research ministers of the EU member states, during the informal meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Vilnius, will discuss what skills are needed now and in the future to ensure EU competitiveness in the field of science and innovation.

“Europe's future depends on its knowledge and innovation economy. This not only requires investments in research, but should also be accompanied by developing the necessary skills. If we are to solve the problems in the current EU labour market and pave the way for Europe's competitive future, we need to identify the lacking skills and enable science and business together those necessary skills develop”, says Lithuanian Minister of Education and Science Dainius Pavalkis.

During the informal meeting of research ministers, higher education and business experts along with the research policy makers will be sharing ideas on how to map and develop the currently lacking skills and better match skill supply and demand, as well as how to promote competitive skills in the field of science and innovation.

Although there is an enormous amount of unemployment in Europe, the evidence also shows skill shortages, with certain sectors and regions lacking employees to fit their needs. For example, Europe faces up to 700,000 unfilled ICT jobs, whereas in total, there are around 2 million job vacancies across the EU despite high levels of unemployment.

This informal meeting will continue the COMPET meeting that has begun on 23 of July. Together with EU ministers this gathering will be addressed by European Commissioner for research, innovation and Ssience Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

Research ministers to map what skills are necessary to competitive Europe

23 July 2013 Last updated at 13:29 EEST

On 24 July research ministers of the EU member states, during the informal meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Vilnius, will discuss what skills are needed now and in the future to ensure EU competitiveness in the field of science and innovation.

“Europe's future depends on its knowledge and innovation economy. This not only requires investments in research, but should also be accompanied by developing the necessary skills. If we are to solve the problems in the current EU labour market and pave the way for Europe's competitive future, we need to identify the lacking skills and enable science and business together those necessary skills develop”, says Lithuanian Minister of Education and Science Dainius Pavalkis.

During the informal meeting of research ministers, higher education and business experts along with the research policy makers will be sharing ideas on how to map and develop the currently lacking skills and better match skill supply and demand, as well as how to promote competitive skills in the field of science and innovation.

Although there is an enormous amount of unemployment in Europe, the evidence also shows skill shortages, with certain sectors and regions lacking employees to fit their needs. For example, Europe faces up to 700,000 unfilled ICT jobs, whereas in total, there are around 2 million job vacancies across the EU despite high levels of unemployment.

This informal meeting will continue the COMPET meeting that has begun on 23 of July. Together with EU ministers this gathering will be addressed by European Commissioner for research, innovation and Ssience Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.